Method of obtaining samples from a balloon while inflated



. I R. H. UPSON.

METHOD OF OBTAINING SAMPLES FROM A BALLOON WHILE INFLATED. APPLICATION FILED MAR-3119M.

1,396,709, Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. j,

RALPH H. UPSON, OF, AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

METHOD OF OBTAINING SAMPLES FROM A BALLOON WHILE INFLA TED.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedNov. 8, 1921.

AppllcationfiledMarch 8, 1919. Seriallfi'a. 281,414.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, R-ALPI-I H. UPsoN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Akron, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods of Obtaining Samples from a Balloon While Inflated, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to methods of constructing air craft of thelightenthanair type, and has particular reference to an improved construction in panels used to build up the gas bags of such craft.

After a balloon or the like has been in operation for any period of time, it is desirable and often necessary to take samples of the fabric from which the gas bag is built, and test such samples for the purpose of determining the condition of the fabric and the extent of deterioration, if any, clue to contact of the interiorsurfacewith the gases used for inflation, contact of the outside surface with the elements, strains on; the fabric due to stretching, etc.

In view of these conditions it is one of the principal objects of my invention to provide a method of panel construction by which samples of the fabric may be taken, for such test purposes, from a balloon gas bag while same is lnflated, without injuryto any portion of its construction and with no interruption to the continued use of the craft from which the fabric samples are taken.

The above and additional objects of a similar nature, which will be hereinafter more specifically treated, are preferably accomplished by such meansas are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the claims which are appended hereto and form a part of this ap lication.

l Vith reference to the drawings, wherein there has been illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention and throughout the several views of which, similar reference numbers designate corresponding parts:

Fi re 1 is a plan view of the gas bag showing position of special panels therein;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showlng the panel before cementing; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective View show ng panels assembled, one end of top panel belng rolled back showing pin holes.

In the practice of my invention 1n the building of a gas bag for a balloon or the like, I place two special panels in the top of the bag, the preferable locations being, in the type of gas bag shown in the drawings, at the front and rear ofthe cylindrical section and on opposite sidesof the top meridian seam.

Before being incorporated in the construction ofthe gas bag these special panels are made by cutting to the normal size from the regular pattern, one paneloffabric, designated by the numeral 5 in the drawing. A plurality of pin holes 6 are pierced in the approxlmate center of the panel 5 about one 1nch apart, and the area thus perforated is sultably marked: for the purpose of subsequent identification. Another panel of fab-' ric 7 is then cut from the same pattern and material as. the panel 5, the second panel 7, however, being trimmed all. around its outer edges for about one-eighth inch margin. A cement isthen applied to the edges of both panels for a space about two inches wide around the outside marginal edges thereof. The panel 7 is then stretched to correspond to the size of the normally proportioned panel 5, and is laid fiat=on top ofthe panel 5 and joined thereto by the previously applied cement, the corresponding corners and edges of the two panels being placed together in exact coincidence. The two panels thl s joined form a single panel of double thlckness and of dimensions corresponding to those of original panel 5.

This double panel, and anotherone similar to it, are then built into the gas bag in the; usual manner, at different locations, special care being taken to prevent puckering at the seams. Then incorporated in the gas bag under construction the surface con1- posed of the initially smaller panel 7 is on the outside and the larger one on the inside. The outer ply 7 of the double panel being slightly smaller than the inner ply, carries most of the strain. There is no possible danger in having it slightly smaller in this construction, as all the edges are doubly reinforced, and if anything should give way in the center the gas bag is still held in shape by the inner ply 5 of the double panel.

By providing the small pin holes 6 in the inner ply 5 the gas is allowed to come freely in contact with the outer ply 7 which carries most of the strain, thereby subjecting the outer ply to normal operating conditions.

Vhen it is desired to test the condition of the fabric the upper ply 7 of the double panel is cut out carefully around the edge thereof, and the lower ply 5 which remains is then patched to seal the perforations 6, the area of the perforations being identified by the marking previously referred to.

The use of more than one such double panels as hereinbefore described permits tests to be made at two different times and at different parts of the structure. It will be understood, of course, that while I have refered to the use of two such panels, any reasonable number thereof may be used, as may be deemed desirable.

. What I claim is:

1. A gas bag for a balloon or the like comprising a panel of fabric consisting of two layers joined at the edges thereof, the outer layer being of slightly smaller dimension than the inner layer, said inner layer being perforated to permit the gas to contact with said outer layer.

2. A gas bag for a balloon or the like comprising a panel of double thickness, the outer ply of which panel is adapted to be partially removed therefrom for test purposes.

3. A gas bag for a balloon or the like comprising a panel of double thickness, the outer ply ofwhich panel is adapted to be partially removed therefrom while the balloon is under inflation, for test purposes.

4. A balloon comprising, in combination with a gas bag, a panel of fabric consisting of two layers joined at the edges thereof, the upper layer being of slightly smaller dimensions than the lower layer.

5. A gas bag envelop including in its construction, a double walled panel both walls of which are exposed to the buoyancy affording gas and one wall of which is exposed to the air, the latter wall being stretched to a greater extent than the other.

6. A gas bag envelop including in its eonstruction, a plurality of panels, certain of the panels comprising an outer wall stretched to substantially the extent of the walls of the remaining panels and an inner perforate wall stretched to a lesser extent.

7. A balloon envelop comprising superimposed layers of fabric, the inner layer of fabric being perforated to permit the inflating gas to contact with the adjacent layer of fabric.

8. A balloon envelop comprising superimposed layers of fabric, the inner layer of fabric being perforated in a defined area to permit the inflating gas to contact with the adjacent layer of fabric.

9. A balloon envelop comprising panels of superimposed layers of fabric, the layers of fabric in said panels being of different areas, and having the edges thereof joined in substantial coincidence to impose greater stress on one layer than on a succeeding layer, the innermost layer of fabric being perforated in a defined area to expose the inner surface of the adjacent layer of fabric to the inflating gas.

10. A panel for a balloon envelop C0111- prising a perforated layer of fabric, and a second layer of fabric mounted over the first layer and adapted to partially relieve the first layer of fabric of inflation stresses.

11. A gas bag envelop including in its construction a double-walled panel, the layers of fabric in the panel being of different areas and having the edges thereof joined in substantial coincidence to stretch the outer layer to greater extent than the inner layer, the inner layer being perforated in a defined area to facilitate the sealing of the perforations when the outer layer is removed.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RALPH H. UPSON.

Witnesses:

L. M. HARTMAN, E. C. LEADENHAM. 

